Courts across the nation are split on whether post-petition community association assessments constitute dischargeable debts under Chapter 13 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. To make matters worse, in November, the Supreme Court denied a petition to review the issue, leaving the community association industry wondering if the existing dispute among the courts will ever have a concise national remedy.

Every year the Community Association Law Seminar presents a review of significant appellate cases that shaped community association law in the prior year. These cases also focus on upcoming, emerging trends in association jurisprudence that are sure to advance the future of community association law. In 2018, 450 relevant cases were reviewed, 250 cases were summarized by CAI’s outstanding Case Law Update Team, and 80 cases were formally presented to the 564 attendees of 2019’s Community Association Law Seminar.

Talk of two truly epic documentaries have circulated the water coolers over the past two weeks. The focus of the documentaries is the 2017 would’ve-been, luxury festival that flew to close to the sun then crashed and burned leaving thousands of young, some very-well-to-do, adults stranded on an island in the Bahamas. They ultimately tell the same story and heed the same warnings about the charisma or cost-savings of an individual or offer.

When an issue arises that impacts CAI members, CAI develops a public policy position to guide volunteer advocates and staff in their advocacy efforts. On January 23, 2019, the CAI Board of Trustees adopted a public policy on electric vehicle charging stations.

Community associations are subject to state laws that control how associations are developed, governed and managed. This state-based statutory framework has proven successful because it is predicated on the principle of local control over land-use and property decisions. While the community association housing model has a state statutory framework, there are federal issues impacting community associations. Therefore, we’ve identified federal priorities for 2019.

While the federal government shutdown enters its third week; state governments legislative sessions have started. By the end of this week, 33 state legislative sessions will have started. CAI is already tracking hundreds of legislative proposals impacting the community association housing model.

The partial government shutdown impacts several federal agencies and programs important to community associations. Homeowners and buyers, board members, community managers, attorneys, and other business partners may notice delays in condominium loan certification, flood insurance policy changes, drone licensing approvals, and more.

As we celebrate the holiday season and get ready to ring in the New Year, 42 states are about to begin their respective legislative sessions. If you followed our 12 Days of Advocacy campaign, you’re up to date on the legislative efforts CAI makes...

Voting is one of our most important civic duties. It gives us the power to have a say in our government and communities. Your vote counts whether you’re voting in a Presidential election, today’s midterm elections or your community’s board of director’s election....

In this age of political divide, it’s clear that people have stopped treating one another with courtesy and respect. I have colleagues and friends from the far left to the far right and everywhere in between, yet any conversation about political issues quickly...